New approaches to DNA damage and repair: the ultraviolet light example.

DNA fragments of defined sequence are used as probes to study DNA damage and repair. The case of ultraviolet light is presented and includes the following: (a) Description of the distribution of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers within defined DNA sequences. Considerations of the effect of neighboring base composition, dose rate, and double- or single-stranded property of the DNA are discussed. (b) Dissection of the anatomy of the incision event and subsequent repair steps. A three-step incision model for repair of cyclobutane dimers by the Micrococcus luteus repair enzymes will be presented. The steps are (1) recognition of the lesion and N-glycosylase scission, (2) cleavage of the phosphodiester bond 3' to the newly created apyrimidinic site, and (3) scission of the apyrimidinic sugar on the 5' side. (c) Use of human alphoid sequences as indicators of DNA damage in intact human cells. (d) Biological significance of a novel ultraviolet light-induced photoproduct. This photoproduct occurs at pyrimidine-cytosine sequences and may have a significant biological role.